Hey guys! Sorry for all the weird update stuff here on Fanfiction. I deleted the A/N and Fanfiction counted that as an 'update' so that is what you were seeing. Sorry!
Also, apologies for being so late! Dakota read this chapter and basically told me my end was crap, I had to rewrite the entire thing. *sigh*
Disclaimer in Chapter 1. Will add as needed.
"Harriet we just got on the Express." Lee whined, "Who could you possibly be texting already?"
"Your mother." Harri said nonchalantly, not looking up from her phone.
"What for?" Lee huffed, "You two saw each other not five minutes ago." He glanced out the window of the train, "Look, she hasn't even left the platform yet!" Harri, Fred, and George looked out the window and saw Mrs. Jordan waving at them happily.
Harri shrugged and went back to her phone, "She texted me all this morning during breakfast."
"You were sitting two seats away from each other!" Lee exclaimed.
Fred chuckled, "Ever since Harriet gave her the magic proof phone and laptop she's hardly put it down."
George nodded and pulled his own phone from his pocket to show Lee, "She texted us this morning to make sure we were up and then ten minutes later to tell us to stop being so slow."
Lee groaned as he slumped back in his seat, "You should have never given those to her Harri."
Harriet huffed as she put her phone in her bag where the Marauders were already napping, "Lee, your mother is a muggle, a muggle writer. I know she chose your father and staying with him over technology that would have been hurt by magic, her job allowed that. But technology will help her with her job, give her more options without having to change much else. I think we can handle her being a little text happy."
Lee deflated a bit, "I know."
"She did promise not to text any of us during the day." Fred said.
Harri smiled, "And I gave your father one as well so hopefully she will be able to text him."
Lee nodded, "Hopefully." He repeated.
The door to the compartment opened and they looked up to see Luna in the doorway with Bucky lounging around her shoulders, seemingly asleep. "Hello again big sister." Luna hummed as she came in and shut the door behind her.
"Hello Luna." Harri said with a smile, "Did you see Loki and Sleipnir out there?"
"No, they will join us in a bit." Luna said as she sat down next to Lee and pulled out her Quibbler, "Not much longer."
Fred rolled his eyes, "He just wants a dramatic entrance."
"Not that we expected much else." George threw in.
"He is God of Chaos after all." They said as one.
Harri smiled, "I'm sure he has some things planned. I would be more surprised if he didn't."
George perked up, "Speaking of plans"
"We had an idea for a welcome feast prank"
"But we'll need your help."
Harri cocked an eyebrow, "You're not going to give the firsties even a second to breathe?"
"Strike while the iron is hot!" Fred answered.
"Before they get that jumpy look about them." George added.
Lee snorted, "They get that jumpy look because of things like this."
Harri rolled her eyes, "Why do you need my help?"
"Because apparently you can speak to the castle." Came a new female voice from the door. Everyone turned to see a slim girl just a bit smaller than Harri with straight and shiny black hair, big emerald eyes, and pale skin; on her shoulders was Jörmungandr and right behind her stood Sleipnir and Fenrir. Fred, George, and Lee gaped at the girl while Luna giggled and Harriet grinned. Sleipnir chuckled at their reactions while Fenrir gave a soft woof of amusement. The girl smiled and stepped a bit further into the compartment, "Hello, I'm Ligia Liesmith and this is Sage Liesmith, my brother."
Harriet gave a soft laugh but stood up and held out a hand, "Nice to meet you Ligia. Would you and your…brother like to join us?"
Ligia gave Harri a grin, "We would."
Harri sat back down to allow Ligia to move into the compartment with Sage and Fenrir, once the door was closed, everyone had settled into seats, and Harri had warded the door she grinned, "I've gotta say, I didn't expect this."
Ligia gave a very familiar smirk, "You said this year would be the time they tried to push Ginerva on you as your more girly friend, I'll simply take her place." She glanced down at her nails, "Besides, people will under estimate me even more like this. I can have such great fun!"
Lee groaned, dropping his face into his hands, "The castle is going to burn down and we'll have to have class in the Forbidden Forest where we'll be eaten by…"
Harri giggled over his rambling, "Lee, I would never allow Loki to burn down my castle."
"Your castle?" Sage asked, "The school is yours?"
"Might as well be." Harri said with a smile, she willed her Slytherin Ladyship ring and her Gryffindor heir ring on her hand, "I'm Lady Slytherin and Heir Gryffindor."
Fred and George frowned before Fred pulled Harriet back against him so George could take her hand, "We didn't know you'd"
"already taken the Slytherin Headship."
"In the Chamber you only said you could."
"Not that you already had." The twins said, looking at the two rings.
Harri smiled at them as she settled against Fred and let all of her rings appear on her hand, "I couldn't tell you until your minds were protected. After that I wasn't trying to hide it or anything. It just wasn't the most important pieces of information you needed."
Lee sighed and drew his hands down his face, "Is that why you like it so much when Fred and George go all Slytherin on things?"
Harri wiggled her eyebrows at him, "You bet."
"There's also the fact that she was supposed to be in Slytherin." Luna said with a smile, "Slytherin's are attracted to their own most of the time."
Fred and George's eyebrows shot up but Harri just laughed, "True." Fred and George shared a look at Harriet's answer. Harri looked over at Ligia, "So, nervous? This is the first time you'll be in an actual school rather than just learning from tutors and whatever books you've managed to get your hands on."
Ligia waved Harriet off, "I'm not too worried. I think it will be rather fun."
"You just think it will be fun because you get to mess with people." Lee grumbled as the train jerked and started off.
"Well there is that." Ligia chuckled.
There was a slight knock at the door and everyone looked over to it, "I thought you warded it." Ligia said hesitantly.
Harri smiled, "It's a modified ward, only friends can get passed it." She looked to the door, "Come in." She called.
The door opened and Neville poked his head in hesitantly, he relaxed a little when he saw Harriet, "There you are. Can...can I join you?"
Harri smiled, "Of course Neville." Neville closed the door behind and dropped onto the seat between Lee and Luna with what could only be described as a sigh of relief.
"You okay there Neville?" George asked.
"You look like you're running from dementors." Fred commented.
"Actually it was your brother, sister, and Hermione."
Fred and George nodded sagely, "Understandable."
Harriet gave him a sympathetic smile, "They started in already?"
Neville leaned back and groaned, "Yes. I ran after the third nasty comment."
Ligia cocked an eyebrow at him, "What exactly were they saying?"
Neville looked over to Ligia and blinked, "So-sorry, I didn't see you there." He held out his hand, "I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom."
Ligia smiled and shook Neville's hand, "Ligia Liesmith and this is my brother Sage." She said, tilting her head toward Sage who was next to her.
Neville looked between Ligia and Harriet, "Are you sure you aren't a Potter? Some long lost cousin? Or Harriet's half sister? You two could be twins if it wasn't for the hair and your cheekbones." Fred and George laughed while Harri giggled.
Ligia looked amused, "I'm sure. Gringotts would have informed me if I was related to any current families when we set up our account." Neville nodded in understanding and Ligia gave him a kind smile even as she leaned forward, "Now, what exactly were these three saying about my not sister?"
A couple hours later the group, already in their uniforms, was getting off the train; all of them talking animatedly about the upcoming school year. Neville had gotten comfortable with Ligia and Luna but seemed to really take a shine to Sage; ever since Ligia, Fred, and George fell into talks about getting revenge on Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, Neville and Sage had moved on to herbology and magical creatures quite easily. Harriet was happy everyone was meshing well, it wouldn't do to have her friends and her family with a fracture through them. The Marauder's had woken up an hour into the train ride and made a ruckus when they discovered who exactly Ligia was, Harri had simply rolled her eyes and humored their dramatics even as Fred and George seemed amused by it.
The group stopped off to the side when they came to the area where they would have to separate, Harriet pulled Ligia, Luna, and Sage over to her quickly, "It won't be easy for us to meet tonight or even in the morning, so we will meet tomorrow evening after dinner, alright?' all three nodded, "Good, by tomorrow you should know where the second floor restrooms are. Meet us outside the girl's restroom right after dinner."
"Will do!" Sage said cheerily.
Ligia nodded, "Very well." She smirked, "Do not forget to get the castle to set up our pranks."
Fred and George came up on either side of Harriet and slung their arms around her, "We won't let her forget." They reassured. Sage laughed and Ligia smiled with a nod.
Harriet gave all of them a soft smile, "Alright, you need to go to the boats. We'll talk to you tomorrow."
Ligia, Luna, and Sage waved as they went off to join the other first years, Fenrir on their heels. "They grow up so fast." Fred crooned making Harriet snort and George chuckle.
"Come on." Harri said, guiding the rest of the group over to the carriages. As they rode closer to the castle the relaxed atmosphere in the group was lost as Harriet tensed further and further. She eyed the castle with the slightest bit of trepidation, knowing she would have to withstand Dumbledore's interrogation after dinner as well as the questions posed by her peers after the three articles most directly related to her this summer, the last one being a report of the facts of Harriet's checkup and announcing the Wizengamot's full investigation into her situation.
Harriet looked down when she felt smooth scales rubbing against her hand and saw her dad rubbing his head on her hand soothingly, *Calm down Princess. You'll do fine.* James murmured.
Sirius poked his head from her bag with the silver lily that James had made her last Halloween in his mouth, he dropped it in her lap, *Put it on. It will have to do since you can't wear your battle gear right now.*
Harri gave them soft smiles and picked up the flower, *Thank you.* Harriet stuck the lily in place behind her ear.
Sirius nudged her hand, *Always pup.* Fred and George took her hands, reassuringly and James gave them an approving hiss before making his way up around Harri's neck.
When they made it to the castle Lee and Neville headed straight for the Great Hall for the Welcoming Feast while Harriet, Fred, and George snuck away to set up the prank. With Harriet's ability to speak to Hogwarts it was done in minutes, Harriet talked the castle into setting it off right after the sorting completed. The trio quickly made their way back into the crowd, hurrying into the Great Hall to throw off suspicion.
Harriet settled in her usual spot with Fred and George on either side of her with Lee, Neville, and Oliver across from them, the rest of the Quidditch team closed rank around the core group quickly, effectively closing off hopeful interlopers and the pushy traitors who were already being glared at by Fred and George. "Calm." Harri mumbled, just loud enough for them to hear, "We can't do anything here. Not at this time. We'll be wanted criminals. While being on the run with only ourselves for company sounds romantic, trust me when I say that the negative of the situation far outweighs the positive."
That was enough to draw the twins' attention to her and away from destroying Ron and Hermione. They leaned close so they wouldn't be overheard, "Do tell." Fred murmured lowly.
"Just us against the world sounds good to us." George chuckled.
Harri smiled softly, "There are good points but they are over shadowed by constant paranoia and exhaustive traveling."
"Oh dear Merlin they're plotting already!" Oliver interrupted before they could go any further, the trio looked up to see their Quidditch Captain eyeing them warily, "Can't we have one day of peace before you three start in?"
"Why whatever"
"do you mean Oliver?" the twins asked innocently.
Alicia groaned, "Don't try to pull that. We know you're planning something."
"It's almost like you"
"don't trust us." They pouted.
Katie tilted her head, "So you're not planning something?" she asked skeptically, focusing on Harriet.
"Not at this time." Harri said truthfully.
Oliver didn't look like he believed her and quickly waved his hand, "Let's talk about a safer subject before that changes."
Angelina nodded quickly, "Yes, I heard rumors that Malfoy was going to try and buy his way onto the Slytherin team with new brooms." The entire Gryffindor team groaned but Harri for an entirely different reason than the others, she had all but forgotten that was going to happen in light of more important and potentially life threatening things. She was still mad though, she loved playing Quidditch and this occurrence would be even more of a pain in the butt this time knowing that she should have remembered to counter the move.
"We'll be stuck on the crappy school brooms." Katie whined.
"We're gonna lose!" Alicia cried dramatically.
Oliver looked grimly at Harriet, "Harri, you're our best shot now. Catch the snitch before those idiots can score or we'll be roadkill."
"Maybe if we hit the bludgers"
"just right they will"
"break their brooms." Fred and George muttered dejectedly.
"Then they'll just foul us." Angelina huffed, "Then we could lose anyway."
"Plus I don't think winning by murder will go over well with the Professors." Katie added.
Harriet ran her hands down her face with a sigh, playing things up even as she decided on a few different courses of action, "Maybe…" every looked over to her, "maybe I can get someone to donate new brooms to the school." She nodded, seemingly in deep thought as she focused on the table while she was really thinking over the letters she would need to send out, "Muggles do it all the time, have people donate to schools to make sure kids have safe equipment."
"If anyone can do it it's you Harriet." Neville said with a soft smile.
"At least your title will do something good." Alicia said with a small sympathetic smile; by this time the entire team knew how much Harriet hated her title but they also knew she knew how to wield it to her advantage.
Harri just let out a sigh and nodded as Dumbledore stepped up to the podium at the front of the hall and called for silence. Everyone focused on the manipulative old man as he greeted the returning students and called for the sorting to begin. As the Headmaster made his way back to his seat he and Harriet's gazes caught, even without a full legimens spell in place Harriet to practically taste his anger, she fought the urge to lick her lips while laughing manically. She kept her face her innocent mask before her eyes slid over the rest of the table, Lockhart was there in the DADA teachers seat. When she got to Severus who was watching her discretely, their eyes locked and she felt his mind brush hers; she smiled and sent him a quite greeting with just enough time to turn back and see Ligia, Luna, and Sage entering the Great Hall for the first time.
"Ligia looks like she's going to squeal at the sight of the ceiling." George laughed softly over the sorting hat's song
Harriet giggled, "She's the God of Chaos, she would scoff at the very idea and deny it if it ever did happen."
"We'll have to make it happen." Fred said lowly, "I'm sure we can get Tony to record it for proof."
They watched as the firsties began the sorting; clapping politely when the other houses gained a member and cheering like the proud Gryffindor's they were when they gained another lion.
Finally, McGonagall called out, "Liesmith, Ligia." Ligia made her way up to the stool, attracting the attention of Dumbledore and Severus alike when she hissed to Jörmungandr softly.
The Marauder's perked up and James propped his head on top of Harri's so he could see; Fred, George, Harri, and Lee all sat forward in anticipation as the hat was dropped onto Ligia's head. "10 galleons says she's a secret Claw." Lee muttered across the table to them.
"I'm not going to take your money from you Lee." Harri scoffed, "It would be rude."
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat called.
Harriet grinned over at Lee, "See?" Lee rolled his eyes at her.
"Liesmith, Sage." McGonagall called, Sage walked up with Fenrir pressed close, ignoring McGonagall's disapproving look at Fenrir.
"Think he'll go with his sister?" Fred muttered into Harri's ear.
"No. He'll be one of us or a Puff." Harri answered.
"You guys know the kid?" Oliver asked.
"He met him on the train." Neville said, "He was nice."
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat called. Sage jumped off and made his way over to the Badger table with a wide smile, Fenrir keeping pace with his tail wagging happily. Harriet smiled, they would do well with the Badgers.
Two first years later it was Luna's turn.
"Lovegood, Luna." McGonagall called.
Luna swayed up to the chair with Bucky in her arms instead of around her shoulders for once, she petted him in a way that looked almost like a supervillain as she settled on the stool. The hat dropped onto her head and Bucky let out a disgruntled sound at the strange smelling fabric that was obscuring his mate's face. Harriet forced herself not to react to his worry, keeping her magic in check even if she wanted to tell him it was alright. Luna never stopped petting him in gentle reassurance until the hat called out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Harriet smiled and joined in the clapping as Luna moved over to the Ravenclaw table. The rest of the sorting didn't hold much interest for Harri so she let her thoughts drift a bit to the new letters she needed to write, the texts she needed to send out to check in with her family, and the upcoming discussion with Dumbledore.
She didn't notice the sorting coming to an end until Fred nudged her and slid a vial over to her, "Drink this." He whispered urgently. Harri cocked an eyebrow at the little bottle but knocked it back discretely anyway. She felt it spread through her system, making her feel a bit muzzy. She felt like she was moving through water and her head felt heavy. Fred rubbed her hand gently, "It will go away in a moment." He slurred.
Harri frowned but in the next moment she heard a pop and swiveled her head to see bright fireworks spreading over the teacher table where Dumbledore was trying to welcome everyone again. The firework was writing out, 'Welcome to Hogwarts First Years!' with the paw, hoof, and claw prints of two wolves, two jungle cats, two foxes, two birds, two dogs, a stag, and a horse underneath the message, all underlined with what looked like a snake track. Once the firework had completely unfurled dust fell from the ceiling and coated each of the tables in their house colors and the teachers table in a veritable rainbow of dust.
Instantly Harriet felt her senses clearing up and she blinked even as everyone around them started screaming and shouting, brushing at themselves frantically, trying to get all of the colored dust off. It wasn't working, it was dying people's skin in their house colors and it was only making things louder. Fred and George were laughing as they looked around with big grins and Harri rolled her eyes fondly at them. Across from them everyone was trying to wipe the dust and coloring free while glaring at Fred and George halfheartedly.
Lee was the first one to bring it up as he sat in his seat, "Why do I feel so jittery?" he asked, his eyes darting around and his fingers tapping at the table.
Fred and George adopted innocent expressions, "We don't"
"know Lee."
"You'll need to work that out though"
"or you won't be able to sleep for tomorrow."
"What?!" Lee exclaimed.
Harriet stifled her laughter as she figured out what Fred, George, and Loki had done. She looked up to the table and grinned when she saw that the teachers were starting to look keyed up as well. That would help in her meeting with Dumbledore. The Headmaster, correctly deciding that he wouldn't be able to talk at the moment, signaled for the food to appear and the room settled down slightly as everyone who had been stuck on the train all day decided food was more important that dyed skin.
*This stuff makes my scales itch.* Remus grumbled, rubbing almost violently against the textured leather of one of Harriet's journals. Harri snickered but reached in her bag to scratch at Remus' irritated scales.
*Us too Princess.* James whined, hissing uncomfortable.
Harri rolled her eyes but picked her father up from her shoulders and gave him to Fred, "You reap what you sow." She said with an innocent smile, Fred raised an eyebrow, "This stuff irritates their scales." She turned and handed Sirius to George, "I can't scratch them all at once." Fred and George exchanged looks but shrugged and tried to relive the snake's irritation while eating and feeding them as well.
*Why did we get handed off?* Sirius harrumphed.
*Because I'm her favorite.* Remus said smugly.
*Princess!* James hissed.
Harri laughed but ignored them as she focused on food and the friends around her. Dinner went by quickly and by the end everyone was feeling the effects of the dust, even Harriet who had been given the neutralizer was feeling it with the general atmosphere. Everyone was jumpy and energetic; five different Hufflepuffs had been on top of their table already to dance, the Slytherin table had broken out into hexing three different times over roasted potatoes and tarts, the Ravenclaws were all attempting to speed read through their entire curriculum for the year, and Gryffindor, well, they were rowdier than usual, which was saying something.
The teachers seemed to be holding it together the best but if you looked you could see Severus gripping his wand which was glowing an ominous green and glaring at Lockhart, McGonagall batting at a crumbled up napkin on the table frantically, Sprout looking over her students with a manic worry, and Flitwick letting out happy high pitched squeaks every few seconds. Dumbledore was the worst, his eyes were glittering almost manically and every couple minutes he would stroke his beard with a low creepy laugh.
Harri shuddered at the sound but turned her attention elsewhere, "You gave Bucky the neutralizer right?" she asked George softly.
"Of course." He answered, "We did it on the train."
"We wouldn't want him to kill anyone on his first night here." Fred chuckled, Harri nodded.
At the end of dinner, the Headmaster gave a rather strange speech about the school year ahead and the importance of important plans, his beard stroking and creepy laugh making the speech worse. After an entirely too jovial seven-minute introduction of himself by Lockhart everyone was sent off by Dumbledore and just like last year he called for Harri to come to his office. Harriet rolled her eyes but moved from the Great Hall with everyone else. She asked Neville to take her bag, with the Marauders in it, to her room, she wanted them to make sure that Hermione didn't spell her bed while she was with Dumbledore. Fred and George escorted her all the way to Dumbledore's office and only left after promising to be waiting for her just around the corner.
Harriet drew in a deep breath and walked up to the gargoyle, the guardian must have been expecting her because it jumped aside without her having to say a word. Harri walked up into Dumbledore's office to find it empty, she couldn't feel his magic anywhere in the rooms so she made her way over to Fawkes. She approached slowly and gave the bird a small smile, "Hello Fawkes." She said softly. Fawkes cocked his head and cooed at her, "Yes, you're quite beautiful." She very gently stroked at Fawkes ruffled feathers, "You should come see me some time this year. I'd love to talk to you." She murmured. Her head jerked toward the door when she felt Dumbledore's magic approaching and smiled at Fawkes, "Just think about it. I'm sure you can get down to Samarra." She said before stepping back toward the main arch of the set of rooms and set her face into innocent curiosity just in time for the door to open and bring in Dumbledore, Severus, Tonks, and Kingsley.
Dumbledore and Severus were still rainbow colored and Tonks looked to be suppressing her laughter at the sight they presented, Kingsley stood off to the side with a small smile on his face. Severus came to stand right next to Harriet, still shaking from the effects of the dust, he loomed over her but Harriet felt it was more his version of protection rather than intimidation. Dumbledore was still way to damn chipper; he was stroking his beard continuously now as his eyes locked onto her with what Harri could only describe as a hungry look.
"Wotcher Harri!" Tonks greeted.
"Hello Tonks." Harri said with a smile.
"Harriet my dear!" Dumbledore exclaimed, "I have found you!"
Harri fought the urge to raise her eyebrow at that and sass back for all she was worth, she never would have thought a high Dumbledore would be like this. "Found me sir?" she asked curiously.
"You found nothing!" Severus almost growled, "The brat came back on her own."
"Ah yes." Dumbledore said, "Yes, yes, yes, yes."
Harri bit her lip both to keep herself from laughing and to keep her act up, "Why wouldn't I come back? I want to continue my schooling."
"Miss Potter." Kingsley interrupted, "I think they are referring to when you disappeared at the beginning of the summer and again a week ago. Could you tell us about what happened when you went home this summer?"
Harri faked hesitance for the few seconds it took Tonks to pick up on it and come comfort her, "You do have to go into detail right now Harri, we have some time, but the Wizengamot has launched a full investigation into your situation and they will have to know eventually." Tonks said softly, hugging Harri with one arm.
Harriet nodded in understanding, "Alright." She looked over to Kingsley with her eyes round and wide, "When Professor Snape escorted me back to my relatives they weren't very happy to see me."
"Nonsense dear!" Dumbledore piped up.
"Headmaster please refrain from interrupting." Kingsley said sharply before looking back at Harriet, "Go on Miss Potter."
Harri gave a shy nod, "They weren't happy to see me. I was thrown back in my cupboard for causing them more problems."
"The cupboard we found blood in?" Kingsley clarified.
Harri cocked her head as Tonks gave her a reassuring squeeze, "If it was the one under the stairs then yes." Kingsley nodded and Harri continued, "They left me there for the rest of the day and the next morning without food but I managed to get out while they went out to the cinema. I made my way to Diagon to pick up some things to help with my summer homework."
"That is where you ran into Rita Skeeter?" Kingsley questioned.
Harri gave him a bright smile, "Yes! Miss Skeeter was very nice! She just asked me some questions."
"She is untrustworthy Harri my dear, you can't…"
"Headmaster!" Kingsley snapped, making the rainbow colored wizard looked to him in disbelief, "No interruptions." he said sternly.
Harri frowned, "People keep saying bad things about Miss Skeeter. Did she misquote me in the paper?"
"You were aware she was going to publish your interview?" Kingsley asked.
Harri blushed, "Yes, she thought people would want to hear from me. I didn't think so but she was adamant." She looked up at Kingsley, "Did she misquote me?" she asked again.
Kingsley softened, "We don't believe so Miss Potter. What she reported in all three articles she has done on you are lining up with what we have found so far."
Harri pasted a relieved look on her face, "Good, she was nice."
Kingsley smiled at her, "Please continue. What happened when you returned to your relatives?"
Harri shifted and looked at the ground, "They didn't like that I left, they…they…" she buried her face in her hands and Tonks rubbed at her back.
"I think we can guess from the medical record." Kingsley said gently.
"No." Harri said shakily, looking up, "They…beat me. It was worse than before." She drew in a breath, "Then…Uncle Vernon…he threw me in the car and drove me out to a field. He left me there. Told me if I wanted out of the house so bad I should just stay there." Harri was playing things up a bit for her cover story but something similar had happened once, she had been in a forest that time; it had been five days before Vernon had come back and dragged her home. Harri assumed it was Dumbledore who made him bring her back. "I passed out after that." She said in a painful whisper.
"Don't make up such stories dear." Dumbledore said jovially, his eyes sparkling, "Vernon would never do such a thing! He knows it's not part of the plan!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore!" Kingsley snapped, "What have I said about interruptions!"
"No, no Kings." Tonks said, narrowing her eyes at Dumbledore, "I want to hear about this plan."
Kingsley looked torn, it was an excellent question and one he wanted an answer to as well but he could see this was hard for Harriet and he didn't want to detain her longer than necessary. "It is a good question but I think we need to finish with Miss Potter here first so she can go get some sleep for her first day of classes tomorrow." He smiled down at Harriet, "So you have no idea what happened to the Dursleys?"
Harri cocked her head, "No? Did something happen?"
"They disappeared." Tonks said gently, "All their stuff was gone, they just vanished."
"Oh." Harri said dully.
Kingsley nodded, not expecting much of a reaction from Harriet at the news of her abuser's disappearances, "Now, can you tell me what happened when you woke up? I assume you must have at one point and you didn't just show up in Diagon Alley to get school supplied one day."
Harri brightened and shook her head, "No. I woke up in a Manor house!" she said excitedly, "There were some house elves there. They said they had brought me home!"
Kingsley lifted an eyebrow and Dumbledore eye's lost a little bit of their twinkle, "Can you elaborate Miss Potter?"
Harri nodded, "Yes, they said that they felt me through a bond, that I needed help. They came and brought me to the Manor and treated my wounds. They were very nice to me."
"What Manor was this?" Kingsley hedged.
"They said it was Potter Manor." Harri said happily.
"That is impossible!" Dumbledore exclaimed, "They can't get to you!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore!" Kingsley barked, "I will get to you in a minute. One more interruption and I will have to take action!"
Tonks ignored this and looked thoughtful, "It is possible. Even if she hadn't claimed anything at Gringotts yet, since she was the last Potter all of the owner-elf bonds would be connected to her, since she is the only who could command them. And the elves at the main manor would have had strong enough bonds to the Potter line to know if they were in immediate danger."
Kingsley nodded, "Alright, Miss Potter, how did you get your things to the manor?"
Harri smiled, "The elves told me they could go anywhere so I told them where the Dursleys' house was so they could get my trunk and Hedwig, my owl."
"And you were there the rest of the summer?" Kingsley asked.
"Well, I had one of the elves take me to the park a couple times and I went to Diagon Alley to get my supplies but other than that, yes. I was in my home the entire summer." Harri said earnestly.
"Was that were you returned to after your check up?" Kingsley continued, Harri nodded. "Alright Miss Potter. We may come talk to you again as the investigation progresses but for now you can go."
"No! She can't!' Dumbledore said, actually stepping forward this time. "I need to talk to her! I need to speak to her about many things! I need to make things clear!" he looked a bit frantic.
"Headmaster. I think you can make those things clear to me." Kingsley said flatly, "Miss Potter is free to leave! You will let her leave here freely!"
"No! She can't! The Greater Good must be served!" Dumbledore said, "She must adhere to the plan!"
Kingsley frowned, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I have no idea what you are speaking about but you seem to be having some sort of episode. Desist this or I will serve a protective restraining order to keep you from harassing Miss Potter that will not be reviewed for removal until this investigation is complete."
Dumbledore flipped on a dime, his energy still frantic but he was no longer jovial, now he was angry. "I am the Headmaster of this school, you cannot keep me from speaking to students! Harriet needs to stay here and explain more about her summer!"
Severus stepped in front of Harriet protectively and narrowed his eyes, his mask nowhere near what it usually was with the dust's effects, "She will be leaving." He snarled, Dumbledore eyed his with cold blue eyes.
Harri discretely put a hand on Severus' back and let Glacia trill internally to calm Severus while warning Dumbledore to stand down; she didn't care if he ruined himself under the dust's effects but he would not take one of hers with him, she wouldn't allow it. As expected, the trill from her ice phoenix brought Severus to a calmer state while brushing Dumbledore's anger away to be replaced by paranoia and wariness. Over on his stand, Fawkes trilled in answer, ratcheting up the two different reactions and letting Harriet know he heard her.
Kingsley narrowed his eyes at the face-off between the Potions Professor and the Headmaster, "I don't know what is going on here but this will be added to the current investigation." He looked at Dumbledore with hard eyes, "Once I have returned to the Ministry I will draw up the preliminary six month magically reinforced restraining order to keep you from harassing Miss Potter. If you feel that you have a need to speak to her, you will have to be accompanied by an Auror." He turned away from the now gaping Dumbledore to face Harri who was still be guarded by Severus, "Miss Potter, we will contact you with the specifics of the order as well as if we have any other questions about your situation. You should never have had to go through what you have and the DMLE are dedicated to finding all the ways you have been wronged and fixing them."
"Thank you Auror Shacklebolt." Harri said with a shaky smile.
The tall wizard smiled at her, "You can call me Kings. Everyone does."
Harri nodded, "Then you can call me Harri."
Severus finally recovered enough from the phoenix song clashing with the dust to stand up straight, "If that is all Auror Shacklebolt, Auror Tonks, I believe I should escort Miss Potter to her dorm and then go brew something to counter this stuff those troublemakers dropped on us." Kingsley nodded and waved them off. Harriet and Severus quickly exited the office, only slowing when they reached the gargoyle.
Harri giggled almost hysterically, "Oh Merlin that was just too good!"
Severus gave her a disapproving look, "Yes. Hilarious." He said dryly. "I expect an explanation very soon Miss Potter."
Harri nodded, "Tomorrow after dinner."
Severus gave a small nod before beginning to walk away, "Tell those demons of yours that I expect a three-foot-long report of the making, uses, and the counter of that dust they used on us or they will be getting two weeks of detention." He called back before turned around a corner and out of sight.
Harri laughed again before turning the opposite direction and heading toward where she could feel Fred and George waiting for her in an abandoned classroom. She stepped into the classroom and instantly pulled them into a hug, "You guys are brilliant."
Fred and George shared a look over her head but hugged her back tightly, "So it went well?" George asked lightly.
Harri laughed as she pulled back, "It went beautifully! That dust! Merlin! It's the best! Whatever it did to Dumbledore." she broke into a bout of laughter, "Oh sweet Morgana!"
"What!" George asked, he tugged at Harriet playfully, "Come on, tells us what our genius has wrought!"
"It's supposed make people energetic, less able to hold a front, and helps enhance the person's foremost emotion." Fred said with a frown, "It couldn't have revealed that much. He would probably be more talkative but not much, he would still be able to hide a little."
Harri nodded, "It did all that! But he brought in Tonks and Kingsley! He blabbed about having a plan to those who are investigating all the stuff that's going on around me!" she giggled almost hysterically.
Fred's jaw dropped and George laughed, "He's going to have trouble digging his way out of this."
Harri grinned, "It gets better! Kings is gonna file a magically reinforced restraining order to keep him from harassing me!"
Fred and George burst out laughing, high fiving in victory, "That's great!" Fred exclaimed.
George grinned, "So I assume you did indeed like our welcome prank."
"I loved it!" Harriet laughed, she got a mischievous smile, "Am I to assume, now that you've made it near impossible for everyone to sleep tonight, that you are going to give everyone a wakeup call?"
George pulled back and fanned himself dramatically, "It's like you know us!"
"You know it!" Harri laughed but squeaked when in the next moment Fred picked her up, "Fred!" she squeaked in shock, throwing her arms around his neck.
He chuckled, "Never fear milady! I am just returning you to your tower! We will greet your fans and then we can tell Lee and Percy about the good news!"
The next morning the entire sleep deprived castle was awoken by wailing sirens and red flashing lights, the two didn't stop until the very last person was in the Great Hall for breakfast. Harriet smiled brightly around the table at the dead eyed lions who still sported red dyed skin, "Good morning everyone!" she said cheerily.
Oliver whined and brought his robes over his head, "No its not Harriet."
"I only got to sleep like three hours ago." Lee almost cried.
Harriet clucked her tongue, "Staying up late partying huh? That's no good Lee."
"I didn't!" he huffed, "I couldn't sleep!"
Fred and George chuckled, "You didn't seem"
"to try either!"
"Shut up!" Alicia grumbled, "I know this is your guys' fault! The fact that your so damn chipper right now is as good as a confession."
"Aw, don't be a downer." Harri cooed, "We're not the only ones awake!"
The rest of the day drug on for the tired occupants of the castle. The first day classes were incredibly dumbed down and simple and there was no homework. Madame Pomphrey ran out of Pepper ups within the first hour. What glimpses Harriet had caught of Sage and Fenrir showed that they weren't fairing much better than the mere mortals, Fenrir's tail was dragging and Sage kept falling asleep standing up. Luna and Bucky didn't seem affected but Harri didn't really expect them to be. Ligia and Jörmungandr seemed unaffected as well but Harriet could tell something was wrong; she knew they most likely had the counter since they had helped with the prank preparation but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong with the two of them.
Finally, dinner arrived and everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief, many vowing to go to bed the second dinner was over. To everyone's relief, the skin dye had disappeared altogether on its own. The flapping of wings drew Harri's attention upward and she gave a discrete smile when she recognized the owl as a Ministry owl. The bird landed in front of her and held out her foot with an insistent hoot, "Thank you darling." She said, giving the owl a piece of chicken after she had retrieved the roll of parchment.
Opening it, Harri had to refrain from dancing around, it was the restraining order. "50 meters." She muttered to her mates and the Marauders, "He had to stay 50 meters away from me at all times or magic will push him back."
"Wicked." Fred and George laughed.
*As it should be.* James said happily.
*Good!* Remus snapped.
After dinner they made their way toward the second floor girls restroom, Harriet being careful that Severus didn't lose track of them as he skulked after them. When they made it to the bathroom Sage and Fenrir were waiting outside and Luna and Ligia were waiting inside with Bucky and Jörmungandr. Harriet led the twins, Lee, Sage, and Fenrir in quickly and they all gathered to wait for Severus.
*Do you need to add them to the protection Princess?* James asked.
*I did it already. I wasn't sure if I would need to call Samarra for anything, so I added everyone once I was sure she was safe.* Harri soothed.
Severus entered a second later, "Why exactly are we in a girl's bathroom?"
"To go down to the Chamber of Secrets." Harri said factually.
"This isn't the way we got in last time." Severus pointed out.
Harri grinned, "You mean when I shoved you backward into a hole? Yeah, that was something I had Hogwarts make up just for that. This is the traditional way in, everyone should have to go through it at least once to get the full effect." She turned to the sink, *Open.* she hissed, the sink rose and revealed the slide. Harri grinned at the group, "Who wants to go first?"
"I'll go." Luna hummed, she took Bucky from her neck so she could hold him securely and dropped into the pipe without so much as a slight hesitation. Her giggles rang out behind her.
"My turn." Ligia said, "Can't be showed up by another blonde." Severus raised an eyebrow at his newest snake but watched as the girl jumped into the hole. Next was Sage and Fenrir, then Lee jumped down followed closely by Fred and George, Severus went after that and Harri went last so she could close the entrance after her.
When Harri landed she was surprised to see Jörmungandr the size he had arrive to LeFay castle in, ignoring Severus' wary looks as he wrapped protectively around his father, *There is a basilisk here.* he hissed harshly.
Harri nodded, *It's alright Jor, the basilisk won't hurt you.* Jörmungandr hissed incoherently but didn't size down. Harri shook her head and led the group to the second door, Severus stared at the snake door with interest, it was certainly something to see.
As the second door swung open Harriet gave the bag that the Marauders were in to Lee, making him frown. "Why am I taking them?"
"They'll get crushed if they're on me here in a moment." Harri said nonchalantly as she led the group into the outer Chamber. "Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets!" she said dramatically, sweeping her arms around the room.
*Hatchling!* came the excited hiss from the back of the Chamber. Harri hurried forward as she saw the statue's mouth drop open to allow Samarra free. Samarra shook herself as she landed before slithering toward Harriet at full speed, *Hatchling!* she hissed again, *You returned!* the enormous snake wrapped around Harriet and squeezed in a snake hug, *We missed you so much!*
*I missed you too!* Harri said hugging the closest bit of basilisk she could get her arms around, *I'm so happy to see you!*
A deeper hissing interrupted them and Samarra twisted violently to change position, putting Harriet on her back as she reared up in defense, *Who goes there! I shall not let you harm my hatchling!*
*She's my hatchling damn it! Other people need to stop claiming her!* James hissed from the bag. He was ignored.
All eyes were on Jörmungandr who was looking at Samarra with as much surprised as a snake could manage. Finally, his head dropped a bit and a deep rumbling hiss came from his enormous mouth, *Peace lovely lady. I shall not harm the one you call you hatchling.* he slithered closer slowly, *I would just like to get to know the gorgeous serpent before me.*
Harriet groaned, "This is not happening."
"What's not happening?" Severus asked, still eyeing the two enormous snake with slight trepidation.
"It would seem that my brother has found a love interest." Sage chuckled.
"Brother?" Severus questioned.
*Who exactly are you that I would allow such a thing!* Samarra hissed indignantly.
Jor gave a hissy chuckle, *I am Jörmungandr, the World Serpent.*
Samarra scoffed, not noticing that Harriet was sliding from her back and making her way over to the group of humans, *You hardly look big enough to wrap around the world.*
Jörmungandr gave a great rumble, *Just a bit of sizing magic beautiful. I can grow and shrink at will.*
Harriet gagged, "I think we should allow these two to get to know each other, I don't want to hear what passes as snake flirting." Ligia nodded, looking a little sick at the idea. Harri quickly led them up through the statues mouth and into the study. Harri walked over to Salazar's painting quickly, "Alright. Salazar, you already know my mates Fred and George and the three Marauders, but I would like you to also meet Severus Snape, the current head of Slytherin in the school; Lee Jordan, Fred and George's best friend and a hilarious announcer; Luna Lovegood, my sister in all but blood; Bucky Barnes, my brother who is currently disguised as a margay for reasons; Ligia Liesmith who is actually Loki God of Mischief and Chaos, one of my flock; Sage Liesmith who is actually Sleipnir Lokison, the grandest steed in the universe; Fenrir Lokison, the great wolf; and Jörmungandr, the World Serpent who is here but is currently out romancing Samarra. Everyone, this is Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Severus was trying to maintain his composure as everyone greeted the founder politely and the Salazar nodded in turn to each before looking to Harriet, "You know the most interesting people." Harri grinned at him before his eyes slid back over to Fred and George, "I assume you two have something to do with those obnoxious alarms that went off earlier."
Fred and George chuckled, "Sort of, see"
"we did the first part of the prank"
"but the sirens were Loki's part."
Salazar's eyebrows raised up, "I see." His eyes searched out Severus, "Ah, you must be the one who was stupid enough to disregard the warning given to you by Lady Slytherin herself." Severus choked a bit at the comment, "Know this," Salazar continued, "She would not have been able to so fully take my holdings from my last heir if she was not Slytherin enough at heart. You would be wise to remember that."
"Yes Lord Slytherin." Severus rasped.
Harri rolled her eyes, "Now that that is done." She marched over to Ligia and set her hands on her hips to stare the smaller girl down, "What's wrong?"
Ligia took a step back, "Excuse me?"
Harri narrowed her eyes, "Loki Friggadottir, I have known you long enough to know when something is bothering you. What is it? Do you want to go back to LeFay Castle? Do you want to go hang out with Tony?" she narrowed her eyes, "Did something happen?"
"It's nothing I can't handle." Ligia said quickly.
Harri crossed her arms and leaned back, "Loki you can tell me now or I can call you mother and get her to get you to tell me."
"It's fine!" Ligia insisted. Harriet summoned her mirror from her bag and held it up pointedly. Ligia tried to stay strong but the second Harri opened her mouth so say Frigga's name Ligia broke. "Alright! Just…don't call Frigga, she'll storm the school!" one of Harri's eyebrows lifted in silent invitation. Ligia rubbed at the back of her neck before her face shimmered a bit and several bruises came into view.
"Damn." Fred said walking around to stand with Harri, "Who gave you that?"
George came to Harri's other side, "Why were you hiding it? We know you'll heal pretty quick but it doesn't mean we wouldn't have given you some salve."
"Loki." Harri growled.
Ligia huffed, "Sirius already warned me about the prejudice about anyone not of 'pure blood' in Slytherin. I didn't think it would go this far, they're just children. I would decimate them if I tried to retaliate physically." She looked up at Harriet, "I'll be fine. I just need a bit of time to bring them to heel."
Harriet's eyes flashed Avada Kedavra and she disappeared in a burst of flame.
"Where did she go?" Lee asked.
Luna giggled airily, "To prepare for the takeover."
"A takeover?" Severus asked in disbelief.
Salazar chuckled darkly, "A true Slytherin will do anything to protect what is theirs. She is going to take her place, at least with those who are of our house, to make sure that Ligia is safe."
Ligia crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't like this. I can do it myself."
Sage smiled at his mother, "Sometimes it's nice to have someone do it for you Mother." Ligia deflated a little and nodded.
"So she's going to"
"take over Slytherin house"
"all by herself?" Fred and George asked, Salazar nodded and the twins shared a look. "Not gonna lie"
"that's pretty hot."
Lee face-palmed, "You two are ridiculous."
*Our pup is hot doing anything!* Sirius piped up.
*Oh Merlin, you did not just say that.* Remus hissed, smacking Sirius with his tail.
Another burst of flame announced Harriet's arrival and cued Fred and George staring at her with wide eyes, she wore Slytherin green robes that hugged her waist and flared at the waist and elbows as well as black leather heeled boots that were just visible under her hem; her nails were painted green and her lips black. Her hair was splayed artfully around her face as she glided over to Salazar again, his frame pulled away from the wall as she approached, revealing a small cove filled with jewelry set below a shelf that held a circlet and a tiara that were both done up in snake shaped silver and emeralds. Harriet took the tiara and settled it into her hair before pulling out a thick bracelet.
When Harriet pulled away the portrait swung closed and Salazar smirked at her, "The fireplace down here connects directly to the one in the Slytherin common room. Go make our house great again Lady Slytherin."
Harriet's lips quirked up and she bowed slightly, "Will do Lord Slytherin."
"Can we watch?" Fred and George called as Harriet ushered a slightly blushing Ligia over to the fireplace.
Harri gave them a shark like grin, "Come on then."
*Take us too!* Sirius demanded, on the way Fred and George picked up the Marauders and wound them around their necks.
"Have fun big sister!" Luna called.
Lee backed up a little even as Severus moved to the group, "I think I will just stay here with Sage and wait for you crazy Slytherin's to be done."
Harriet rolled her eyes, "Forcing people to submit to my will isn't for everyone." She said with a shrug before throwing floo dust into the fire and stepping through with Ligia.
Draco Malfoy was running on fumes as he lounged in a chair by the fire place. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed. Unfortunately, his Godfather, the Head of Slytherin, had wanted them all in the common room for the announcements that they had all been too jittery to sit and listen too last night. They had been told that the announcements would be a little after dinner and that no one was to go to the dorms until they were finished. Draco honestly thought it was just a tactic used by his Godfather to make sure their sleeping schedules wouldn't be thrown off any more than they already were.
So when the fireplace blazed to life and spat out a regal looking Harriet Potter and the new girl, the entirety of Slytherin house was present for it.
They were all looking rather undignified as well with their gaping mouths and wide eyes.
Give them a break, they were sleep deprived!
Harriet's dangerously glowing eyes swept over the snakes, her lips drawn in a perfect pureblood sneer as she took them in. The fire flared twice more to let out the Weasley twins who currently had Harriet's snakes on their shoulders and Professor Snape looking a healthy mix between skeptical and exasperated.
Finally, someone spoke up, "What the hell are you doing in here Potter!" a seventh year snapped, rising to his feet, "And what is with your robes? It's too late for you to be a snake."
Harriet's wand whipped out so fast Draco couldn't track it, one second her hands were empty and the next a spell was hitting the seventh year and they were collapsing with a pained scream as three lashes appeared across his cheek. "So this is what has become of the great Slytherin house." She said, her voice deceptively soft, hiding the danger. Draco's self-preservation kicked in and he prepared to side with the strongest in the room. It was obvious really. "Pathetic." Harri hissed, eyeing them all with disdain.
Harri stepped forward and set herself firmly in front of the new girl, L-something? Draco couldn't remember her name. "Purebloods." She snarled, like she was saying a practically vicious curse. "You're all the same. So secure in your superiority. So positive that you are better that you ignore facts laid out before you and the basic laws of human decency whenever it suits."
"You don't know what you talking about Potter." Pansy snapped, "Just…"
Harriet's silver wooded wand whipped around and Pansy was hit with a sharp stinging hex that had her clutching her cheek. "Did I say you could speak?" Harri asked lowly, Pansy lowered herself further in her chair, shaking her head. Harri went back to surveying the room, "The most powerful head of house Slytherin has had in almost a century is Severus Snape and you all respect him. I can see it in your faces. I can see it in your actions. I can see it in the way you look at him now to save you from the light sides Savior and her rant." She tapped her wand against the flat of her hand, "He's a half-blood you fucking morons." Many jolted at that, others knew; Draco had known, he had always known, but while his father had raised him as a true pureblood, he was taught to respect power even more that blood, unlike some in the room.
The girl-who-lived angled slightly so she could put a hand on the new girl's shoulder, "It is no wonder that the world calls this house dark if some of you would happily beat an eleven-year-old girl for something that is out of her control." A few people winced and Draco frowned, trying to think who would have gone after someone within the house who was already technically the lowest member in the Slytherin hierarchy and had made no attempts as of yet to move upward. "Salazar Slytherin himself would be ashamed of what you and your parents before you have turned this house into. A den of lairs, cheats, and thieves. Darkness should not be considered evil and yet because of the behavior that is allowed to continue to this day, this house is seen as both and the prejudice is spread from there."
Draco was surprised, he didn't expect that Golden Girl to make a pro-dark magic speech. Then again he didn't expect her to floo into the Slytherin common room like this either. Eh, whatever.
"We are going to turn this house back into what it should be. The house of ambition and cunning. The house of resourcefulness. The house of power and perseverance. We will fix this house and we will do it as a group without all of this pure-blood supremacy crap to get in the way. We will stand together, everyone who is sorted into this house will be on the same standing until the can prove that their own power should elevate them." Harriet's eyes lingered on Draco for a second, "They're own power, not their families, not their father's, their own." Draco blushed.
Flint decided it was time to speak up, he stood and bared his crooked teeth at Harriet as he paced forward to meet her head on, "We? You're not one of us. What we do here is none of your business lion. Just who the hell do you think you are that we would listen to you?"
Harriet didn't back down or even so much as flinch at the challenge, she brought her hand up and a single ring appeared on her hand, "I am Lady Slytherin and you shall treat me as such." She growled dangerously. At her claim the emeralds sat throughout the room glowed with power and the snake statues moved into a bowing position.
Every Slytherin in the room moved to their knees on the ground, "Yes Lady Slytherin." They called in unison.
Draco caught a flash of annoyance in her eyes and wondered why exactly she was making the claim like this if she was just going to be annoyed by their reverence. It didn't make since until she walked back over to the new girl and withdrew a silver snake band with emeralds set into it from her sleeve, she slid the bracelet on the girl's wrist before addressing them again, "This is Ligia Liesmith, when I am not here you will follow her orders as if they were mine, is that clear?"
"Yes Lady Slytherin." The room answered.
Harriet nodded and folded her hands perfectly in front of her, "Severus is still your head of house, you will treat him as such. Do you understand?"
"Yes Lady Slytherin."
"Dumbledore is the enemy and we will keep this in house until the time that best benefits us. Is that clear?"
It surprised everyone in the room but the response came even more readily than before, "Yes Lady Slytherin."
"If any would dare to challenge my claim it will be done in house to keep this away from Dumbledore do you understand?"
"Yes Lady Slytherin."
"If you have something you think needs to be brought to my attention you will speak to me directly when I am in the common room or relay it to me through Ligia or Severus. Is that clear?"
"Yes Lady Slytherin."
"Do you all vow to help me bring this house back to its former glory? To change our image from this vile twisted thing that we have become? To make us a house that any first year would be proud to be a part of?"
Again the chant got even stronger, "Yes Lady Slytherin."
"Good." Harriet said, her wand disappeared into her sleeve and she waved her opposite hand, making a chair appear out of nowhere. Draco marveled at the simply show of power as Harriet dropped gracefully into the seat, "Shall we begin?"
"Yes Lady Slytherin."